Sure I thought I was in control. But I wasn’t. It was a delusion. I admit it. I’m happy to pretend something is going along just perfectly when to be honest all hell is breaking loose around me. And that’s the thing. I thought my Norsaq roll was just perfect. But now that I’ve seen the video I know better. I’ve been lying to myself!!

So here’s the clip. Watch the sweep end in a nice big plunk!! Arggg. Now that I watch it I can see my sweep is as useless as a monks. . oh, well you get the drift. That’s the thing about video analysis. It’s won’t lie to you. You can identify your useless thingy, in this case my sweep. I’m happy to tell you that although I have a lot of video clips on this site that for every one there are 50 others where I did something terribly wrong. The web gives you that advantage. Only good rolls and good hair days give you a slightly dishonest impression. Not that I’m going start posting bad hair days. . especially given the previous post.

The trip to Milwaukee has been postponed until next weekend. Thus I get a moment to sit down and type. Then I have to go put all the gear away. Drat! Thinking of travel I hear Freya Hoffmeister will soon be tooling around North Wales. Wow! Her, Justine & Gemma Rawlings all gathered together in such close proximity?? There’s bound to be some cosmic consequence.

By the way, thanks to everyone who’s been sending me video clips recently. Just a note on that. I’m excited to receive them. I’m happy to post rolls that are currently not on the site AND that are either just fun silly rolls or clearly demonstrate the roll for those who my use them to better understand a roll in their own learning experience.

The lyrics for today are from White Christmas. . I almost feel guilty to admit it. . but I think when Rosemary Clooney sang the song “Love You Didn’t Do Right By Me” she had it going on!

Yesterday the snow came down in thick splashy, sloppy thuds. Apparently it was time once again for the angels to clean out their celestial slush puppy machine. Of course in heaven they’re still dumping waste over the sides. Funny thing, your mind. I was just standing there on the stone porch, watching the wet snow splat across the cedar roof of an old bird feeder, and wondering if heaven had an environmental protection agency!? “If so,” I thought, “Earth seems to be out of their jurisdiction.”

I have these weird little “padded cell” days when it seems my mind cannot quite connect with the outside world. It sees everything in a series of movie shorts and one liners. Scenes are laid out, frames and lighting judged, scripts are formed. I can’t really control it, and frankly it’s quite enjoyable. You just let your mind wander off on it’s own little joy ride and snicker to yourself when you suddenly get the punch line about the angels. “Celestial slush puppy” what a lark! The problem is if you tell anyone what you’ve been thinking they’ll think your crazy. Of course if you don’t and just giggle to yourself they’ll think you mad.

Couldn’t sleep last night. Something has me distracted. . .

Oh well, today is a pool day. My offside norsaq rolls are getting pretty tight and I’m thinking it’s time to move on to offside hand rolls. Trouble is I have no confidence at all. That’s the thing with offside work. It feels so much like going back to the beginning that you often just don’t want to do it. But then, any kayaker who wants to go out and take on the world needs to be competent. At least in their kayaking skills. Even if they occasionally giggle to themselves.

It’s Ben!

Dick Silberman is one of those wise individuals who seems to know everything about everything. Except of course, when he doesn’t. On this day the wise knight was doing battle with an Optio. And the winner is. . . .

Here’s Dick again still trying to figure out that camera. Now he has the additional help of Nydia Kien. Proving once and for all that two blank stares are stronger than one.

Now you may have guessed by now, that these guys are two of your friendly Wisconsin sea kayak coaches. What caused this little intro? Well, Nydia just got back from the symposium in Tybee Island Georgia. Happily she passed her Canoe Safety Test and is now an “official” coach Two trainee! Great Job Nydia!! And really this post was about her, so skip everything I said about Dick.

hmmm, I said something about Canoecopia yesterday. . . coming later today.

Ok, So it’s my fault. And I do feel rather low. I’ve kept saying I was going to show off my new Coverall Cag Deck and warmer from Reed. But then I’d get distracted writing about something or other. Sorry Jb. Please stop writing me those rude emails and making those strange phone calls. . .

OK then. . . So the deal with this cag is that it’s a big baggy one size fits all monster that can be worn over everything else. Even your PFD (or Buoyancy Aid if you like) It has a nice snug hood with a wired peak and adjuster straps. It also has a massive waterproof front pocket with flap and drainage holes. This is a perfect bit of gear when you’re on the water and you or a paddling partner are getting chilled. No screwing around, just put it on. Over everything. It also has a nice spray deck with 6mm shock-cord and grab loop.

Now once you get on solid ground you snap on a nice fleecy hand warmer and pull the deck up under you to keep your tail warm on the wet ground or to just conserve heat. In fact it’s stretchy enough that I can get my whole chubby hide snuggled up inside. Although you can get it in Yellow/Black or Blue/Black I got the Qajag Ninja version. In this case, more important than being a fashion statement it will absorb a bit more heat as well.

At the moment the best way to get one is though Reed’s Website. At least here in Wisconsin anyway, but we’re working on it. (hint, hint. .)

Well, tomorrow I’ve got some more news about guests at Canoecopia. . . unless of course, I get distracted. Distracted?? Did you see the new Sea Kayak Cornwall Logo with the squiggly guy? (top left corner). . ok, where’d I put my shoes!?